UNDP in Yemen

Fostering RESILIENCE in times of CHANGE

17 Dec 2013

2012 towards 2014 - Progress Report

With the end of the Cold War, the idea of ‘’transition’’ gained much use in the language of politicians, sociologists and economists. Since then, “transition” has been a useful term to describe complex processes of change, from authoritarian regimes to democracies, from centrally-planned to free market economies, and from protracted conflicts to peace building processes. In each process, the idea of a “profound” change is the common denominator and aim.

The so-called Arab Spring is one case in this long tradition of “transitions.” The desire for genuine forms of political participation and social and economic inclusion seems to have been its driving force. The massive participation of young people—in the streets, in social networks, and even on the battlefield—has given a distinctive tone to the claims of the people, particularly in highlighting the necessity to build a different future.

With the adoption of the Gulf Co-operation Council Implementation Mechanism for Yemen, in November 2011, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Yemen realigned its resources and capacities to support the new transition priorities. Our main premise then was simple, and it remains so today: without a successful and genuine transition, it will be very difficult to think about lasting stability and development in Yemen.

A major change was therefore carried out in our own organization in Yemen. Our 2012 and 2013 agendas were based around transition priorities: to support the electoral cycle in order to build a new legitimacy; to set the bases for transitional justice so as to address impunity; to support national dialogue in order to create solid bases for Yemen’s future; to strengthen the State’s national capacities as well as civil society; to bolster genuine national ownership; and, finally, to stimulate the local economy in order to accelerate peace dividends, especially for the youth of Yemen.

During these two years, UNDP doubled the number of partners and tripled its financial resources in support of Yemen. This expansion would not have been possible without the contribution of a vast network of international partners, both from the North and the South. The Yemeni government’s trust during these two challenging years has been essential to achieving critical milestones and building a promising and lasting partnership. This report tells the story.